Isaiah 50:4-7;Ps. 22:8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47)

the moment
of forsaken
the void
of abandon
no God
to save
doubt
of all ages
empty arms
broken body
broken heart
everything
gone wrong
our poverty
stretched taut
we cry
why have you forsaken me?

Have you felt the forsaken moment?
What is your poverty?
In what do you hope?

Ezekiel 37: 21-28; Jeremiah 31: 10-13; John 11: 45-56

gathered
into One
we enter
a covenant
of peace
and love
as we turn
from our ignorance
challenged
to leave
behind the politics
of this world
that would destroy us
and enter
a kingdom
where justice-
God’s love of all
reigns
in abundance
providing
all we need
for ourselves
and others
raised
from death
our mourning
is turned
to joy

Where do you turn in your time of distress?
What brings you peace?

Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Psalm 18: 2-7; John 10: 31-42

we bring
our distress
to you
you hear us
and answer us
with your
love and
strength
upholding us
as disease
and death
and fear
surrounds us
we dare
to sing
and praise
your goodness

Does God hear you?
How does God answer?

Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105:4-9; John 8:51-59

waking
to morning
Glory
we see
into the heaven
that surrounds us
faith of the ones
who have carried us
through all the times
of our sorrow
hardship
and grief
never forsaking
our Spirit
even as we felt
forsaken
to this we rise
each day
not grieving the Spirit
but embracing
her Love
praying
and resting
in God’s peace

Do you wake to morning’s Glory?
Do you allow yourself to feel God’s peace?

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92,95; Dn 3:52-56; John 8:31-52

sorting through
the chaos of your thoughts
seek God’s words
of love and life
and Truth
to set you free
from all desires
that enslave
yield
to generous hearts
persevering
in faithfulness
even as all
around you
speaks of death
destruction
and despair
offer what you can
to Goodness
singing praise
to the light and love
of Truth

Where do you find Truth?
Does it set you free?

Solemnity of Saint Joseph
2Samuel 7: 4-16; Psalm 89: 2-5; 27 and 29; Matthew 1: 16-24

through her
the Holy Spirit
brought life-
she followed

to Him
the Holy Spirit
brought life-
he followed

through Him
the Holy Spirit
brings us life-
we follow

How do you follow?

Dn 13:1-62; Psalm 23:1-8; John 8:1-11

in our willingness
to deceive
and condemn
we accuse
ourselves
casting
the first stone
we are lost
from the integrity
of our sacred being
we do not see
the writing
in the sand
that speaks
of unity
and love
forgiveness
and mercy

What do you experience in your condemnation?
Who do you condemn?
How have you experienced mercy and forgiveness?

Dn 13:1-62; Psalm 23:1-8; John 8:1-11

in our willingness
to deceive
and condemn
we accuse
ourselves
casting
the first stone
we are lost
from the integrity
of our sacred being
we do not see
the writing
in the sand
that speaks
of unity
and love
forgiveness
and mercy

What do you experience in your condemnation?
How do you experience mercy and forgiveness?

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15, Heb 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

God who suffers
with us
the grain of wheat
that dies
we follow
this love
in our hearts
to serve
leaving behind
all we hate
of this life
injustice
lies
selfishness
greed
infidelity
and turn
with clean hearts
of mercy
goodness
compassion
willing spirits
we offer our
prayers
and supplications
cries and tears
while the law of God
is written within
our beating hearts
made for love
made for His glory
each beat tells
us who we are
as we are drawn
into Him
new covenant
with God

What part of you must die to follow Christ?
What law has God written in your heart?
How is God calling you?

Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3,9-12; John 7:40-53

blinded
by preconceptions
and want
of power
we become
divided
and seek
vengeance
yet the searcher
of mind
and heart
and soul
reveals
a Truth
beyond
our knowing
even as it lives
within
and around us
challenging
and shaping us
putting an end
to malice
and returning us
to Love

Have you been blinded by preconceptions?
What does the searcher of mind and heart and soul reveal to you?